Wireless data transfer with improved transport mechanism selection

ABSTRACT

Generally, this disclosure describes devices, systems and methods for wireless data transfer with improved transport mechanism selection. The device may include a near field communication (NFC) circuit configured to initiate a data transfer between a first communication device and a second communication device; a Soft Access Point (Soft AP) data transport circuit configured to transfer data between the communication device and the second communication device; one or more additional data transport circuits configured to transfer data between the communication device and the second communication device; and a transport mechanism selection circuit coupled to the NFC interface circuit and further coupled to the one or more data transport circuits, the transport mechanism selection circuit configured to select one of the data transport circuits for the data transfer, wherein the selection is based on a determination of the size of the data transfer.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless data transfer, and moreparticularly, to wireless data transfer with improved transportmechanism selection.

BACKGROUND

Some existing wireless communication devices enable data to betransferred between the devices by tapping them together, which issometimes referred to as “Tap and Share.” This is accomplished throughthe use of Near Field Communication (NFC) circuitry in the devices thatdetect the presence of the other device and initiate the data transfer.The data transfer is then typically performed through either NFC orBluetooth (BT) wireless transport mechanisms. NFC and BT, however,provide slower data transfer speeds compared to other wireless transportmechanisms, making them generally unsuitable for use with large datatransfers such as required, for example, with pictures or videos.

Some devices transfer data through the Cloud, but this technique alsosuffers from limitations on data transfer speed making it unsuitable forthe transfer of larger data files. Additionally, this techniquetypically requires user intervention in the form of dialog prompts thatmust be answered, detracting from the relative ease of use that “Tap andShare” is meant to provide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of embodiments of the claimed subject matterwill become apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, andupon reference to the Drawings, wherein like numerals depict like parts,and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top level system diagram of one exemplaryembodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of one exemplary embodimentconsistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of operations of an exemplary embodimentconsistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a continuation of the flowchart of operations of anexemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a continuation of the flowchart of operations of anexemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a continuation of the flowchart of operations of anexemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a continuation of the flowchart of operations of anexemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a system diagram showing platforms consistent with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a network; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of operations of another exemplaryembodiment consistent with the present disclosure.

Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with referencebeing made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives,modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilledin the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, this disclosure provides apparatus, systems and methods forwireless data transfer with improved transport mechanism selection. Anear field communication (NFC) circuit may initiate a data transferbetween a first communication device and a second communication devicebased on proximity of the second device. An intelligent transportselection circuit may then chose from one or more available datatransport circuits that are configured to transfer data between thefirst communication device and the second communication device. Datatransport mechanisms available for selection may include Bluetooth (BT),Infrastructure Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Soft Access Point (AP),WiFi-Direct, and NFC. The selection may be based on a determination ofthe size of the data transfer, the connection status of the devices,available credentials of the devices and the ability of the devices totemporarily disconnect from existing WiFi and/or Soft AP connections. Insome embodiments the communication devices maybe part of a mobilecommunication device platform such as, for example, a laptop, tablet orsmartphone.

The term access point (AP) as used herein, is defined as any entity thathas station (STA) functionality and provides access to the distributionservices, via the wireless medium (WM) for associated STAs.

The term Personal basic service set Control Point (PCP) as used herein,is defined as a STA that operates as a control point of the mm-wavenetwork.

The term wireless network controller as used herein, is defined as astation that operates as a PCP and/or as an AP of the wireless network.

The term directional band (DBand) as used herein is defined as anyfrequency band wherein the Channel starting frequency is above 45 GHz.

The term DBand STA as used herein is defined as a STA whose radiotransmitter is operating on a channel that is within the DBand.

The term personal basic service set (PBSS) as used herein is defined asa basic service set (BSS) which forms an ad hoc self-contained network,operates in the DBand, includes one PBSS control point (PCP), and inwhich access to a distribution system (DS) is not present but anintra-PBSS forwarding service is optionally present.

The term scheduled service period (SP) as used herein is scheduled by aquality of service (QoS) AP or a PCP. Scheduled SPs may start at fixedintervals of time, if desired.

The terms “traffic” and/or “traffic stream(s)” as used herein, aredefined as a data flow and/or stream between wireless devices such asSTAs. The term “session” as used herein is defined as state informationkept or stored in a pair of stations that have an established a directphysical link (e.g., excludes forwarding); the state information maydescribe or define the session.

The term “wireless device” as used herein includes, for example, adevice capable of wireless communication, a communication device capableof wireless communication, a communication station capable of wirelesscommunication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wirelesscommunication, or the like. In some embodiments, a wireless device maybe or may include a peripheral device that is integrated with acomputer, or a peripheral device that is attached to a computer. In someembodiments, the term “wireless device” may optionally include awireless service.

It should be understood that the present invention may be used in avariety of applications. Although the present invention is not limitedin this respect, the circuits and techniques disclosed herein may beused in many apparatuses such as stations of a radio system. Stationsintended to be included within the scope of the present inventioninclude, by way of example only, wireless local area network (WLAN)stations, wireless personal network (WPAN), and the like.

Types of WPAN stations intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention include, although are not limited to, stations capable ofoperating as a multi-band stations, stations capable of operating asPCP, stations capable of operating as an AP, stations capable ofoperating as DBand stations, mobile stations, access points, stationsfor receiving and transmitting spread spectrum signals such as, forexample, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), Direct SequenceSpread Spectrum (DSSS), Complementary Code Keying (CCK), OrthogonalFrequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a video device, an audio device, an audio-video(A/V) device, a Set-Top-Box (STB), a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BDrecorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a High Definition (HD) DVDplayer, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder(PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a videosink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, adisplay, a flat panel display, a Personal Media Player (PMP), a digitalvideo camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audioreceiver, an audio amplifier, a data source, a data sink, a DigitalStill camera (DSC), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a smartphone, a digital television, a server computer, ahandheld computer, a handheld device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device,a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile orportable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device,a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, awireless AP, a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, awired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a Wireless VideoArea Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a WLAN, a PAN, a WPAN,devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WirelessHD™ and/or Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications and/or futureversions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operatingin accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 (IEEE 802.11-2007: Wireless LANMedium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications)standards and amendments (“the IEEE 802.11 standards”), IEEE 802.16standards for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX),Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) including Long TermEvolution (LTE) and Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), and/or futureversions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are partof the above networks, one way and/or two-way radio communicationsystems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems,Wireless-Display (WiDi) device, a cellular telephone, a wirelesstelephone, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA devicewhich incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portableGlobal Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates aGPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates aRadio-Frequency Identification (RFID) element or chip, a Multiple InputMultiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input MultipleOutput (SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output(MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internalantennas and/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devicesor systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wirelesshandheld device (e.g., BlackBerry, Palm Treo), a Wireless ApplicationProtocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM),Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet RadioService (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrierCDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT),Bluetooth®, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, WirelessMetropolitan Area Networks (WMAN), Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN),ZigBee™, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile communication(GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices,systems and/or networks.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with suitable limited-rangeor short-range wireless communication networks, for example, “piconets”,e.g., a wireless area network, a WVAN, a WPAN, and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top level system diagram 100 of one exemplaryembodiment consistent with the present disclosure. Wirelesscommunication devices with transport mechanism selection circuit 102 maycommunicate with each other through wireless communication links 106.The wireless communication links 106 may be direct links between thedevices 102 or may go through a WiFi infrastructure Access Point (AP)104. In some embodiments, the devices 102 may be mobile wirelesscommunication devices and the communication may be initiated by an eventknown as “Tap and Share,” wherein the devices come into contact witheach other (touch or tap) or simply come into close proximity. Thetransport mechanism selection circuit of devices 102, as will beexplained in greater detail below, selects a transport mechanism andassociated class of wireless communication link 106 that providesimproved transfer speed with reduced user interaction or involvement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram 200 of one exemplary embodimentconsistent with the present disclosure. Wireless communication devicewith transport mechanism selection circuit 102 is shown in greaterdetail. Transport mechanism selection circuit 202 is coupled to a numberof wireless transport communication circuits including NFC communicationcircuit 204, Bluetooth communication circuit 206, WiFi (Infrastructure)communication circuit 208, Soft AP communication circuit 210 andWiFi-Direct communication circuit 214.

Typical WiFi communications use an existing WiFi infrastructure wherededicated WiFi APs, such as 104 in FIG. 1, provide a communications linkbetween two WiFi enabled devices. Alternatively, both Soft AP andWiFi-Direct, although using different technology and protocols, providethe similar capability for a device to host its own AP such that otherWiFi enabled devices may communicate directly with it. Soft APs, whichmay be run on a mobile device, simulate infrastructure WiFi APs, butwith reduced capabilities. Typically, Soft APs are used to provide“portable hot-spot” or “tethering” capabilities where, for example, alaptop can gain internet access through a smartphone. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure, however, may use Soft APs for point to pointcommunications between two mobile devices. A first device starts a SoftAP and sends access credentials to a second device through a secure datatransport. The second device may then use those credentials to connectto the first device and exchange data in a point to point manner.WiFi-Direct technology also provides point to point communication, butin this case one device acts as a WiFi-Direct Group Owner (as opposed tohosting a Soft AP) while the other device acts as a WiFi-Direct clientin that group. The process of determining the Group Owner may be donethrough negotiation or autonomously. The resulting WiFi-Direct point topoint communications may be similar in many respects to Soft AP. Dialogbox prompting steps, however, which may typically be required intraditional WiFi-Direct connection set up, may be avoided in someembodiments of the present disclosure since authentication and securitykey sharing can be accomplished over an initial NFC connection that isestablished when the devices tap.

Each of the available transport mechanisms have relative advantages anddisadvantages such as, for example, data transfer speed, effectivedistance, power consumption, overhead for setup and tear down, securityand credentialing requirements. For instance, WiFi is generally fasterthan BT which, in turn, is generally faster than NFC. Overhead and powerconsumption, however, is generally greater with WiFi than with BT orNFC. Transport mechanism selection circuit 202 selects from among theavailable transport mechanisms based on considerations including thesize of the data file, the state of existing connections and theavailability of access credentials. The selection attempts to increasetransfer speed and power consumption efficiency while reducingrequirements for user interaction associated with the transfer.

In some embodiments, communication security circuit 212 may generaterandom keys that are provided to devices 102 for encryption anddecryption of data as will be explained in greater detail below.

The wireless transport communication circuits, NFC circuit 204,Bluetooth circuit 206, WiFi (Infrastructure) circuit 208, Soft APcircuit 210 and WiFi-Direct circuit 214, may comprise additionalhardware, firmware and/or software elements. For example, an antenna maybe provided to transmit and receive signals and a transceiver circuitmay be provided to frequency convert and modulate/demodulate the signalsand perform any other suitable signal processing. Some of thesecommunication circuits may further include a Medium Access Controller(MAC) processing module to handle channel access control mechanismsassociated with the data link layer of the network and interface betweenthe data layer and the physical layer of the network. In someembodiments, one or more of these elements may be shared betweencommunication circuits. In some further embodiments, the NFC circuit 204may comprise a loop antenna and communication may be accomplishedthrough magnetic induction between loop antennas in the two devices.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate a flowchart of operations 300-700 of an exemplaryembodiment consistent with the present disclosure. In the discussionthat follows, the devices for which data will be shared are designatedD1 and D2 for convenience, and the direction of data transfer will beconsidered to be from D1 to D2 although this is not meant to imply anylimitation on the direction of data transfer. Beginning with operation302 of FIG. 3, the NFC communication circuits of D1 and D2 detect thepresence of the other device either in proximity (within a predefinedthreshold distance) or through a physical contact (or tap). Thisdetection may then trigger the data sharing operations that follow. Insome embodiments, the devices may need to be pre-enabled by the user forsharing and the particular data to be shared may have been pre-selected.

At operation 304, the size of the data content to be shared ortransferred is determined and if it is less than a first pre-determinedthreshold (operation 306) the data may be transferred through the NFCcommunication circuit (operation 316). If the data size is greater thanthe first pre-determined threshold but less than a second pre-determinedthreshold (operation 308) then BT address and port information may beexchanged over the NFC circuit to establish a BT connection and thendata may be transferred through the BT communication circuit (operation318). If the data size is greater than the second pre-determinedthreshold then an attempt may be made to transfer the data through WiFias will be explained in greater detail below.

The thresholds may be determined based on operational measurements ofdata transfer times and power consumption associated with the varioustransport mechanisms. For instance, smaller sized data transfers may notbenefit significantly from the higher speed of WiFi connections sincethe setup time may be the dominant factor. The reduced powerrequirements of NFC or BT would, however, be beneficial in that case.

At operation 310, BT address and port information may be exchanged overthe NFC circuit to establish a BT connection. Device D1 may also send ashared security key to device D2 to be used for encryption. Then, atoperation 312, the existing WiFi connection states, if any, of thedevices D1 and D2 may be exchanged through the BT communication circuit.Connection state information generally includes the identity of thecurrent AP (if any) to which the device is connected and the identity ofany APs for which the device has access credentials. In someembodiments, WiFi connection states may include infrastructure WiFi,Soft AP and WiFi-Direct connection states.

If both D1 and D2 are connected to the same WiFi AP (operation 314) thenthe data may be transferred through the WiFi AP (operation 320).

Turning attention now to FIG. 4, if neither D1 nor D2 are connected toany WiFi AP (operation 402), a determination is made (operation 404) asto whether D1 or D2 is hosting a Soft AP. If neither device is hosting aSoft AP then D1 may begin hosting a Soft AP, the Soft AP credentials maybe sent to D2 over BT, D2 may connect to that Soft AP as a client andthe data transfer may occur over that Soft AP (operation 410).

If only one device is hosting a Soft AP then, the Soft AP credentialsmay be sent to the other device over BT, the other device may connect tothat Soft AP and the data transfer may occur over that Soft AP(operation 408). If both devices are hosting a Soft AP then adetermination is made as to whether either device will permit atemporary disconnect of that device's Soft AP (operation 412).

In some embodiments, the determination of disconnect permission may bemade by prompting the user of the device. If a temporary disconnect ispermitted, then that device will disconnect and reconnect to the otherdevice's Soft AP, after receiving the Soft AP credentials over BT, andthe data transfer may occur over that Soft AP (operation 416). After thedata transfer is completed, the original Soft AP connection may berestored. If neither device will permit a temporary disconnect then thedata transfer may occur over the Bluetooth communication circuit(operation 414).

Turning attention now to FIG. 5, if it is determined that only D1 isconnected to a WiFi access point AP1 and D2 is hosting a Soft accesspoint AP2 (operations 502 and 504), then if D2 has credentials to loginto AP1 and D2 permits a temporary disconnect of Soft AP2 (operation506), then D2 may connect to AP1 and the data transfer may occur overAP1 (operation 512). After the data transfer is completed, the originalD2 Soft AP2 connection may be restored.

Otherwise, if D1 permits a temporary disconnect from AP1 (operation 508)then D1 may connect to Soft AP2, after receiving the Soft AP2credentials over BT, and the data transfer may occur over Soft AP2(operation 514). After the data transfer is completed, the original D1AP1 connection may be restored. Otherwise, the data transfer may occurover the Bluetooth communication circuit (operation 510).

Turning attention now to FIG. 6, which presents the situation where onlyD1 is connected to a WiFi AP (AP1) and D2 is not hosting a Soft AP, thenif D2 has credentials to log into AP1 (operation 602), then D2 mayconnect to AP1 and the data transfer may occur over AP1 (operation 608).

Otherwise, if D1 permits a temporary disconnect from AP1 (operation 604)then D1 may begin hosting Soft AP1, D2 may connect to Soft AP1, afterreceiving the Soft AP1 credentials over BT, and the data transfer mayoccur over Soft AP1 (operation 610). After the data transfer iscompleted, the original D1 AP1 connection may be restored. Otherwise,the data transfer may occur over the Bluetooth communication circuit(operation 606).

Turning attention now to FIG. 7, which presents the situation where D1is connected to AP1 and D2 is connected to AP2, if both D1 and D2 permittemporary disconnects from AP1 and AP2 respectively (operation 704),then D1 may begin hosting Soft AP1, D2 may connect to Soft AP1, afterreceiving the Soft AP1 credentials over BT, and the data transfer mayoccur over Soft AP1 (operation 710). After the data transfer iscompleted, the original D1 AP1 and D2 AP2 connections may be restored.

Otherwise, if D1 permits a temporary disconnect from AP1 and D1 hascredentials to log into AP2 (operation 706) then D1 may connect to AP2and the data transfer may occur of AP2 (operation 712). After the datatransfer is completed, the original D1 AP1 connection may be restored.Otherwise, the data transfer may occur over the Bluetooth communicationcircuit (operation 708).

In some embodiments, connection state information may be exchangedsecurely through NFC communications, particularly if the devices supportSimple NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) Exchange Protocol (SNEP). If thedevices do not support SNEP, then the exchange of connection state maybe performed securely over BT with the aid of a random key that isgenerated by one of the devices and transmitted to the other device overNFC during the initial device “tap.” The random key, which is known onlyto the two devices, may be used to encrypt and decrypt the messages sentover BT or WiFi-Direct, depending on the transport mechanism selection.

It may be understood that in some embodiments, the WiFi-Direct datatransport mechanism may be employed in a manner similar to thatdescribed above for Soft AP, where one device acts as a WiFi-DirectGroup Owner (as opposed to hosting a Soft AP) while the other deviceacts as a WiFi-Direct client. The process for WiFi-Direct communicationsmay be similar in most respects to Soft AP since conventionalWiFi-Direct dialog boxes may be eliminated based on the shared securitykey that is transferred through the NFC connection as described above.

FIG. 8 illustrates a system diagram 800 showing platforms consistentwith an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a network. Aplatform 802, 804 may be a mobile communication device, such as, forexample, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computing device or any otherdevice configured to transmit or receive wireless signals. In someembodiments, platforms 802, 804 may comprise a processor 808, memory810, an input/output (I/O) system 812, a display 814 or other type ofuser interface (UI) such as, for example, a touchscreen. Platforms 802,804 may also comprise a wireless communications device with transportmechanism selection circuit 102 as described above, which may selectamong available transport mechanisms including NFC, BT, WiFiinfrastructure, Soft AP and WiFi-Direct communications. Any number ofplatforms 802, 804 may transmit or receive signals 106 over a network806. In some embodiments, network 608 may be a WiFi infrastructurenetwork, a Soft AP or a WiFi-Direct network.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of operations 900 of an exemplaryembodiment consistent with the present disclosure. At operation 910, adata transfer initiation trigger is detected using NFC communicationsbetween a host device and a second device. The trigger may be based onproximity between the devices. At operation 920, the size of the datatransfer is determined. At operation 930, a data transport mechanism forthe data transfer is selected, from a set of available data transportmechanisms, based on the determined size of the data transfer. The setof available data transport mechanisms includes a Soft AP. Other datatransport mechanisms available for selection may include BT,Infrastructure WiFi, WiFi-Direct and NFC communications. Credentialinformation for the Soft AP may be securely exchanged between thedevices using BT. The selection of the data transport mechanism may alsobe based on WiFi and/or Soft AP connection status of the devices,available credentials of the devices and the ability of the devices totemporarily disconnect from existing WiFi and/or Soft AP connections.

Embodiments of the methods described herein may be implemented in asystem that includes one or more storage mediums having stored thereon,individually or in combination, instructions that when executed by oneor more processors perform the methods. Here, the processor may include,for example, a system CPU (e.g., core processor) and/or programmablecircuitry. Thus, it is intended that operations according to the methodsdescribed herein may be distributed across a plurality of physicaldevices, such as processing structures at several different physicallocations. Also, it is intended that the method operations may beperformed individually or in a subcombination, as would be understood byone skilled in the art. Thus, not all of the operations of each of theflow charts need to be performed, and the present disclosure expresslyintends that all subcombinations of such operations are enabled as wouldbe understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The storage medium may include any type of tangible medium, for example,any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, compact diskread-only memories (CD-ROMs), compact disk rewritables (CD-RWs), digitalversatile disks (DVDs) and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor devicessuch as read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs) such asdynamic and static RAMs, erasable programmable read-only memories(EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), flash memories, magnetic or optical cards, or any type ofmedia suitable for storing electronic instructions.

“Circuitry”, as used in any embodiment herein, may comprise, forexample, singly or in any combination, hardwired circuitry, programmablecircuitry, state machine circuitry, and/or firmware that storesinstructions executed by programmable circuitry. An app may be embodiedas code or instructions which may be executed on programmable circuitrysuch as a host processor or other programmable circuitry. A module, asused in any embodiment herein, may be embodied as circuitry. Thecircuitry may be embodied as an integrated circuit, such as anintegrated circuit chip.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a device, method and system forsecure wireless data transfer between communication devices withimproved data transport mechanism selection.

The device may include a near field communication (NFC) circuitconfigured to initiate a data transfer between the communication deviceand a second communication device. The device of this example may alsoinclude a Soft Access Point (Soft AP) data transport circuit configuredto transfer data between the communication device and the secondcommunication device. The device of this example may further include oneor more additional data transport circuits configured to transfer databetween the communication device and the second communication device.The device of this example may further include a transport mechanismselection circuit coupled to the NFC interface circuit and furthercoupled to the one or more data transport circuits, the transportmechanism selection circuit configured to select one of the datatransport circuits for the data transfer, and the selection is based ona determination of the size of the data transfer.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and the one ormore additional data transport circuits further include a Bluetooth (BT)communication circuit, an infrastructure WiFi communication circuit, aWiFi-Direct communication circuit, and the NFC circuit.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and the BTcommunication circuit is further configured to securely exchangecredential information with the second communication device, thecredential information associated with the Soft AP.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and theselection is further based on WiFi connection state information and SoftAP connection state information associated with the communication deviceand the second communication device.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and the BTcommunication circuit is further configured to securely exchange theconnection state information with the second communication device.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and theselection is further based on determining ability to disconnect anexisting WiFi connection or Soft AP connection.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and the NFCcircuit is further configured to initiate the data transfer based onproximity of the communication device and the second communicationdevice.

Another example device includes the forgoing components and furtherincludes a communication security circuit configured to generate arandom key and the random key is provided to the communication deviceand the second communication device for encryption and decryption ofdata transfers through the BT communication circuit and/or theWiFi-Direct communication circuit.

According to another aspect there is provided a method. The method mayinclude detecting a data transfer initiation trigger using near fieldcommunications (NFC) between a host device and a second device. Themethod of this example may also include determining the size of the datatransfer. The method of this example may further include selecting adata transport mechanism, from a set of available data transportmechanisms, for the data transfer based on the determined size of thedata transfer, and the set of available data transport mechanismsincludes a Soft Access Point (Soft AP).

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and the set ofavailable data transport mechanisms further include Bluetooth (BT),Infrastructure WiFi, WiFi-Direct and the NFC.

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and furtherincludes securely exchanging credential information between the hostdevice and the second device using the BT data transport mechanism, thecredential information associated with the Soft AP.

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and furtherincludes exchanging WiFi connection state information and Soft APconnection state information between the host device and the seconddevice, and the data transport mechanism selection is further based onthe connection state information.

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and furtherincludes securely exchanging the connection state information betweenthe host device and the second device using the BT data transportmechanism.

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and theselection is further based on determining ability to disconnect anexisting WiFi connection or Soft AP connection.

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and thedetecting of the data transfer initiation trigger is based on proximityof the host device and the second device.

Another example method includes the forgoing operations and furtherincludes generating a random key and transmitting the random key fromthe host device to the second device, and the random key is used forencryption and decryption of data transfers through the BTcommunications and/or the WiFi-Direct communications.

According to another aspect there is provided at least onecomputer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereonwhich when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform thesteps of the method as described in the examples above.

According to another aspect there is provided a mobile communicationplatform. The platform may include a processor, a memory coupled to theprocessor, an input/output (I/O) system coupled to the processor, adisplay coupled to the I/O system and a wireless communication device.The wireless communication device of this example may also include anear field communication (NFC) circuit configured to initiate a datatransfer between the communication device and a second communicationdevice. The wireless communication device of this example may furtherinclude a Soft Access Point (Soft AP) data transport circuit configuredto transfer data between the communication device and the secondcommunication device. The wireless communication device of this examplemay further include one or more additional data transport circuitsconfigured to transfer data between the communication device and thesecond communication device. The wireless communication device of thisexample may further include a transport mechanism selection circuitcoupled to the NFC interface circuit and further coupled to the one ormore data transport circuits, the transport mechanism selection circuitconfigured to select one of the data transport circuits for the datatransfer, and the selection is based on a determination of the size ofthe data transfer.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and the one ormore additional data transport circuits further include a Bluetooth (BT)communication circuit, an infrastructure WiFi communication circuit, aWiFi-Direct communication circuit and the NFC circuit.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and the BTcommunication circuit is further configured to securely exchangecredential information with the second communication device, thecredential information associated with the Soft AP.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and theselection is further based on WiFi connection state information and SoftAP connection state information associated with the communication deviceand the second communication device.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and the BTcommunication circuit is further configured to securely exchange theconnection state information with the second communication device.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and the NFCcircuit is further configured to initiate the data transfer based onproximity of the communication device and the second communicationdevice.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and furtherincludes including a communication security circuit configured togenerate a random key and the random key is provided to thecommunication device and the second communication device for encryptionand decryption of data transfers through the BT communication circuitand/or the WiFi-Direct communication circuit.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and theplatform is one of a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop computing device.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and furtherincludes a plurality of the platforms each configured to communicateover a wireless network.

Another example platform includes the forgoing components and thedisplay is a touchscreen.

According to another aspect there is provided a system. The system mayinclude means for detecting a data transfer initiation trigger between ahost device and a second device. The system of this example may alsoinclude means for selecting a data transport mechanism, from a set ofavailable data transport mechanisms, for the data transfer, and the setof available data transport mechanisms includes a Soft AP.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention,in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalentsof the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it isrecognized that various modifications are possible within the scope ofthe claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all suchequivalents. Various features, aspects, and embodiments have beendescribed herein. The features, aspects, and embodiments are susceptibleto combination with one another as well as to variation andmodification, as will be understood by those having skill in the art.The present disclosure should, therefore, be considered to encompasssuch combinations, variations, and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication device comprising: a nearfield communication (NFC) circuit to initiate a data transfer betweensaid mobile communication device and a remote communication device; aBluetooth (BT) communication circuit; one or more high-speedcommunication circuits, including at least one of: an infrastructureWiFi communication circuit; a WiFi Direct communication circuit; or asoft access point (Soft AP) communication circuit; and a transportmechanism selection circuit to determine a size of said data transferrelative to a first threshold and a second threshold, where said secondthreshold is greater than said first threshold, and: if the size of saiddata transfer is less than said first threshold, to select said NFCcircuit for completion of said data transfer by said NFC circuit; if thesize of said data transfer is greater than said first threshold and lessthan said second threshold, to select said BT communication circuit forcompletion of said data transfer by said BT communication circuit; ifthe size of said data transfer is greater than said second threshold, toselect said BT communication circuit to securely exchange credentialinformation with said remote communication device, said credentialinformation associated with said high-speed communication circuits, andto select one of said high-speed communication circuits for completionof said data transfer, if one or more of said high-speed communicationcircuits are available; and if the size of said data transfer is greaterthan said second threshold but no high-speed communication circuit isavailable, to select said BT communication circuit for completion ofsaid data transfer by said BT communication circuit.
 2. The mobilecommunication device of claim 1, wherein said transport mechanismselection circuit is further to determine if one or more of saidhigh-speed communication circuits are available based at least in parton WiFi connection state information and Soft AP connection stateinformation associated with said mobile communication device and saidremote communication device.
 3. The mobile communication device of claim2, wherein said BT communication circuit is further to securely exchangesaid connection state information with said remote communication device.4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein said transportmechanism selection circuit is further to determine an ability of saidremote communication device to disconnect from an existing connection,and to determine if one or more of said high-speed communicationcircuits are available based at least in part on the determined abilityof the said remote communication device to disconnect from an existingconnection.
 5. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein saidNFC circuit is further to initiate said data transfer based at least inpart on proximity of said mobile communication device to said remotecommunication device.
 6. The mobile communication device of claim 1,further comprising a communication security circuit to generate a randomkey wherein said random key is provided to said mobile communicationdevice and said remote communication device for encryption anddecryption of data transfers.
 7. A method for wireless data transfer,said method comprising: detecting a data transfer initiation triggerusing near field communications (NFC) between a mobile communicationdevice and a remote communication device, the mobile communicationdevice comprising a NFC circuit to transfer data between said mobilecommunication device and said remote communication device, a Bluetooth(BT) communication circuit, and one or more high-speed communicationcircuits, including at least one of: Infrastructure WiFi communication;WiFi-Direct communication; or Soft Access Point (Soft AP) communication;determining a size of said data transfer with the mobile communicationdevice relative to a first threshold and a second threshold, where saidsecond threshold is greater than said first threshold; and determining:if the size of said data transfer is less than said first threshold,selecting said NFC circuit for completion of said data transfer by saidNFC circuit; if the size of said data transfer is greater than saidfirst threshold and less than said second threshold, selecting said BTcommunication circuit for completion of said data transfer by said BTcommunication circuit; if the size of said data transfer is greater thansaid second threshold, selecting said BT communication circuit tosecurely exchange credential information with said remote communicationdevice, said credential information associated with said high-speedcommunication circuits, and selecting one of said high-speedcommunication circuits for completion of said data transfer if one ormore of said high-speed communication circuits are available; and if thesize of said data transfer is greater than said second threshold but nohigh-speed communication circuit is available, selecting said BTcommunication circuit for completion of said data transfer by said BTcommunication circuit.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:exchanging WiFi connection state information and Soft AP connectionstate information between said mobile communication device and saidremote communication device; and determining if one or more of saidhigh-speed communication circuits are available based at least in parton said WiFi connection state information and said Soft AP connectionstate information.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisingtransmitting said data transfer initiation trigger using Bluetoothcommunication, and securely exchanging said WiFi connection stateinformation and said Soft AP connection state information between saidmobile communication device and said remote communication device usingsaid Bluetooth communication circuit.
 10. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: determining an ability of said remote communication deviceto disconnect from an existing connection; and determining if one ormore of said high-speed communication circuits is available based atleast in part on the determined ability of said remote communicationdevice to disconnect from an existing connection.
 11. The method ofclaim 7, wherein detecting said data transfer initiation trigger isbased at least in part on a proximity of said mobile communicationdevice to said remote communication device.
 12. The method of claim 7,further comprising: generating a random key with said mobilecommunication device; and transmitting said random key from said mobilecommunication device to said remote communication device; wherein saidrandom key is to be used by said remote communication device and saidmobile communication device to encrypt and decrypt said data transfer,respectively.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving instructions stored thereon which when executed by a processorresult in the following operations for wireless data transfer, saidoperations comprising: detecting a data transfer initiation triggerusing near field communications (NFC) between a mobile communicationdevice and a remote communication device, the mobile communicationdevice comprising a NFC circuit to transfer data between said mobilecommunication device and said remote communication device, a Bluetooth(BT) communication circuit, and one or more high-speed communicationcircuits including at least one of: Infrastructure WiFi communication;WiFi-Direct communication; or Soft Access Point (Soft AP) communication;determining a size of said data transfer with the mobile communicationdevice relative to a first threshold and a second threshold, where saidsecond threshold is greater than said first threshold; and: if the sizeof said data transfer is less than said first threshold, selecting saidNFC circuit for completion of said data transfer by said NFC circuit; ifthe size of said data transfer is greater than said first threshold andless than said second threshold, selecting said BT communication circuitfor completion of said data transfer by said BT communication circuit;and if the size of said data transfer is greater than said secondthreshold, selecting said BT communication circuit to securely exchangecredential information with said remote communication device, saidcredential information associated with said high-speed communicationcircuits, and selecting one of said high-speed communication circuitsfor completion of said data transfer if one or more of said high-speedcommunication circuits are available; and if the size of said datatransfer is greater than said second threshold but no high-speedcommunication circuit is available, selecting said BT communicationcircuit for completion of said data transfer by said BT communicationcircuit.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 13, wherein said operations further comprise: exchanging WiFiconnection state information and Soft AP connection state informationbetween said mobile communication device and said remote communicationdevice; and determining if one or more of said high-speed communicationcircuits are available based at least in part on said WiFi connectionstate information and said Soft AP connection state information.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, whereinsaid operations further comprise: transmitting said data transferinitiation trigger using Bluetooth communication, and securelyexchanging said WiFi connection state information and said Soft APconnection state information between said mobile communication deviceand said remote communication device using said Bluetooth communicationcircuit.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 13, wherein said operations further comprise: determining anability of said remote communication device to disconnect from anexisting connection; and determining if one or more of said high-speedcommunication circuits is available based at least in part on thedetermined ability of said remote communication device to disconnectfrom an existing connection.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein detecting said data transferinitiation trigger is based at least in part on a proximity of saidmobile communication device to said remote communication device.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, whereinsaid operations further comprise: generating a random key with saidmobile communication device; and transmitting said random key from saidmobile communication device to said remote communication device; whereinsaid random key is to be used by said remote communication device andsaid mobile communication device to encrypt and decrypt said datatransfer, respectively.
 19. A mobile communication platform comprising:a processor; a memory coupled to said processor; an input/output (I/O)system coupled to said processor; a display coupled to said I/O system;and a wireless communication device comprising: a near fieldcommunication (NFC) circuit to initiate a data transfer between saidmobile communication platform and a remote communication device; aBluetooth (BT) communication circuit; one or more high-speedcommunication circuits, including at least one of: an infrastructureWiFi communication circuit; a WiFi Direct communication circuit; or asoft access point (soft AP) communication circuit; and a transportmechanism selection circuit to determine a size of said data transferrelative to a first threshold and a second threshold, where said secondthreshold is greater than said first threshold, and: if the size of saiddata transfer is less than said first threshold, to select said NFCcircuit for completion of said data transfer by said NFC circuit, if thesize of said data transfer is greater than said first threshold and lessthan said second threshold, to select said BT communication circuit forcompletion of said data transfer by said BT communication circuit, ifthe size of said data transfer is greater than said second threshold, toselect said BT communication circuit to securely exchange credentialinformation with said remote communication device, said credentialinformation associated with said high-speed communication circuits, andto select one of said high-speed communication circuits for completionof said data transfer, if one or more of said high-speed communicationcircuits are available; and if the size of said data transfer is greaterthan said second threshold but no high-speed communication circuit isavailable, to select said BT communication circuit for completion ofsaid data transfer by said BT communication circuit.
 20. The mobilecommunication platform of claim 19, wherein said transport mechanismselection circuit is further to determine if one or more of saidhigh-speed communication circuits are available based at least in parton WiFi connection state information and Soft AP connection stateinformation associated with said mobile communication platform and saidremote communication device.
 21. The mobile communication platform ofclaim 20, wherein said BT communication circuit is further to securelyexchange said connection state information with said remotecommunication device.
 22. The mobile communication platform of claim 19,wherein said transport mechanism selection circuit is further todetermine an ability of said remote communication device to disconnectfrom an existing connection, and to determine if one or more of saidhigh-speed communication circuits are available based at least in parton the determined ability of said remote communication device todisconnect from an existing connection.
 23. The mobile communicationplatform of claim 19, wherein said NFC circuit is further to initiatesaid data transfer based at least in part on a proximity of said mobilecommunication platform to said remote communication device.
 24. Themobile communication platform of claim 19, further comprising acommunication security circuit to generate a random key wherein saidrandom key is provided to said mobile communication platform and saidremote communication device for encryption and decryption of datatransfers.
 25. The mobile communication platform of claim 19, whereinsaid mobile communication platform is selected from the group consistingof a smartphone, a laptop computing device and a tablet.